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Destination weddings are regaining momentum as more and more couples choose to elope and say “I do” away from their hometown.
However, the cost of a destination wedding requires careful budget planning. Apart from picking a destination, you’ll need to cover the costs of the venue, travel and accommodation, and food services.
Ultimately, these costs will primarily depend on your destination of choice and your guest list, as well as the type of wedding venue and wedding package.
This article will break down the most significant costs to consider when preparing a destination wedding to make your special day unforgettable.
What Is the Average Cost of a Destination Wedding?
Studies show that the baseline destination wedding costs of US couples amounted to an average of $35,600 in 2022, which is 9% more than the average for 2021. However, those choosing to tie the knot abroad had a somewhat smaller destination wedding budget of $32,100.
Naturally, the costs vary depending on the destination and the arrangement. If you choose an all-inclusive resort wedding package costing around $5,550, you’ll get a complete service and drastically reduce expenses.
Essential items included in these estimates are travel and accommodation expenses, venue rental, and everything related to the wedding ceremony — catering, entertainment, photographers, decor, etc.
A potential strain on your pocket might be any additional perks you opt for to thank the guests for attending, such as a pre-wedding cocktail party, a photo booth, or a group spa treatment.
Destination Wedding Cost Breakdown
Critical factors of influence are the guest list, the destination, and the time of the year, but there are several other expenses you should consider when planning a budget, so let’s get into more detail.
Average Cost per Guest
The number of guests greatly influences your budget. Since destination weddings involve higher travel costs, they are mostly limited to fewer guests than hometown weddings.
According to one survey, the average guest count on destination weddings in the US is 80, while international destination weddings averaged 74 guests. In comparison, the average hometown guest count is 123 guests.
Wedding planners estimate that the average cost of a destination wedding for 30-50 people ranges from $10,000 to $20,000, including only the basics — seats, catering, florals, and entertainment.
You can avoid this by booking a more affordable venue at popular exotic wedding destinations. For instance, opting for a venue in the Caribbean islands for 30 people would cost you between $150-$250 per guest.
Average Cost per Destination
Did you know that a whopping 40% of US destination weddings take place abroad? In addition, 35.5% of Americans extend their stay for an exotic holiday.
Tropical islands are a frequent choice for an all-inclusive resort wedding because the resorts offer diverse wedding packages.
These usually include venue and ceremony costs and add-ins for those willing to splurge. Many high-tier wedding packages feature an experienced wedding planner to take the burden of organisation off your shoulders.
According to statistics, the most expensive wedding destinations worldwide in 2022 in terms of accommodation were Mexico, Canada, the US, and Greece, with costs ranging between $6,800 to $11,500.
In turn, Australia, New Zealand and Macao had the highest rate of travel expenses, reaching up to $4,000.
For those wanting affordable destination weddings, these locations offer the best value:
the Bahamas
Aruba
Jamaica
East of Mexico
Dominican Republic
The Bahamas
Even on a budget, you can celebrate your wedding day in the Bahamas if you choose the right package.
For example, you can select a basic elopement package for $1,495 for only two ceremony witnesses, while packages for up to 30 guests range from around $2,500 to $9,000.
The Bahamas also offer all-inclusive options with 50-seat beach venues, florals, entertainment, complete catering services and photography. The cost of these destination wedding packages is approximately $12,000.
Aruba
Aruba is another couple-favourite wedding destination with unbelievably affordable wedding packages.
Aruba resorts offer several packages, so you can opt for an intimate ceremony with two witnesses for a little over $500 or a more elaborate package for approximately $2,800.
Additionally, some resorts offer discounts on these prices if you schedule your wedding from Monday to Thursday, and there are also discounts on special gifts.
Jamaica
Jamaica is a perfect choice if you’re up for an eventful wedding celebration in all-inclusive resorts.
An elaborate destination wedding in Jamaica will cost you around $12,000 on average. However, many resorts offer cheaper wedding packages costing around $1,000.
Most affordable wedding packages range from $450 to $3,000, but some resorts offer money-saving deals, including a free ceremony in exchange for covering accommodation expenses.
Mexico
While it is one of the most expensive destinations, Mexico also offers amazingly affordable options. Depending on the location, wedding package and guest count, expect to spend between $5,000 and $12,000 on average.
It’s worth noting that the East Coast of Mexico is more affordable than the West Coast. Let’s take a look at the average costs on the East Coast of Mexico:
Tulum: $5,000 to $10,000;
Cancun: $2,000 to $10,000;
Playa del Carmen: $3,000 to $8,000;
Riviera Maya: $2,000 to $12,000.
For comparison, the average cost of a destination wedding on the West Coast of Mexico is the following:
Cabo San Lucas: $20,000 to $100,000;
Puerto Vallarta: $5,000 to $20,000.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is also an excellent choice for a sunny beach wedding with many add-ons.
Standard packages feature a wedding coordinator and setup, florals, catering and cake, and often bonus activities such as spa treatments for $4,500.
On average, a Dominican Republic destination wedding can cost from $1000 to $10,000 if your resort offers accommodation booking deals.
Average Cost per Venue
Statistics reveal that tropical islands are on the cheaper side of the spectrum. Mauritius offers the least expensive venues, averaging $619, while you can hire venues under $900 in the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Mexico, and the Maldives.
Over at the Mediterranean coast, venues in France cost over $11,000 on average, while Italy, Greece, and Spain offer slightly more affordable options, still over $6,000.
Top Five Average Destination Wedding Costs
Here are five main costs to consider when planning your budget.
Airfares & Accommodation
While guests should generally cover their travel and accommodation expenses, 40% of couples often pay for close family or friends who otherwise can’t afford to attend.
Regarding transport, reports estimate that plane tickets cost between $500 and $2000 per person, while the average ticket costs $1000.
These prices depend on the destination, the time of the year, and the airline. A sure way to reduce the cost of destination wedding airfares is to book tickets during the off-season at your chosen destination or select an airline offering cheap flights.
As far as accommodation is concerned, if you’re planning to spend several days on an exotic wedding holiday, you should consider the optimal room rates.
The most affordable resorts offer a price range between $130 and $190 per person a night, while moderately expensive ones can cost between $170 and $245.
If you’re aiming for the highest quality, the cost of a luxurious resort ranges from $270 to $490 per night.
Catering
While all-inclusive destination weddings usually include catering in the package, expect to pay $50-$70 per person for a standard menu.
Plated meals raise this cost to $100-$130 per guest, and an open bar means likely another 30% to the total price.
That said, catering services for 50 guests would cost you around $ 5,000 to $ 8,000, so our advice is to explore wedding packages that cover those costs for you.
Flowers & Decor
While it might seem the least worrying on the budget list, florals and decorations add to the charm of your wedding ceremony.
The average cost of destination wedding flowers is far from cheap, with a stem costing $75 to $100. Multiply this by a hundred guests, and you might end up paying your flowers up to $10,000.
An excellent way to reduce this cost is to strike a deal with local florists or consult the venue owners to find cheaper options.
Photographer
It’s not every day you’re getting married, so a photographer and a videographer are a must.
Photographer daily rates range from $1,500 to $2,000 or $2,500 to $3,500 for two days. A videographer will charge you around $500 to $1,000.
Wedding planner
Finally, the cost of a destination wedding is significantly altered if you hire a wedding planner.
You’ll need to hire a wedding planner several months in advance, so check out the fastest way to send money to make sure they will get started on the research in a timely manner.
On that note, an expert destination wedding planner typically takes up around 20% of the budget, not including travel and accommodation costs and additional fees.
Part-time wedding planners charge between $1,250 and $6,000, while full-time services range from $4,500 to $12,000, depending on their level of expertise and your demands.
Conclusion
Destination weddings are becoming all the rage due to the endless possibilities of celebrating your special day.
While they do require careful budget planning, you can find great deals at superb locations if you do your research right.
Hopefully, this article helped you gain an insight into the cost of a destination wedding so you can set yourself up for an unforgettable experience.
